I'm a 50-ish-something birthmother of 4. But many more are the children of my heart. Child of God. Married forever. Ministry assistant. Independent contractor. Wanting, more than anything, to be fully alive in God, and fully in the center of His will.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

If you happen to be reading this and you happen to be the type of person who talks with God on a regular, or even a not-so-regular basis, I’d appreciate if you could say a prayer or three for me. There’s pretty much a ton of stuff going on in my life right now and while I am feeling so loved and cared for, I am also overwhelmed. Kind of like as hard as I pull, nothing is moving the way it's supposed to.

Like the mule in the photo up there, I just need to set my feet upon the rock again....
Psalm 40:12

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

I say that because Lidna over at 2nd Cup has her Random Dozen meme up and thinks shes' at post one million or so, but I couldn't figure out how to write 1,000,000 in Roman numerals, SO.... nth Power it will be. There is Power in the Dozen! Post your own, link up over at Lid's and play along!

1. Do you do garage sales? If so, tell me about one great find. If not, tell me why not.

I do sale now…and have, but not as frequently as I have in the past. I bought a really pretty brass chandelier at one for $4 about 20 years ago…that chandelier still hangs over my dining table. Ted says he’ll pay me NOT to have them anymore. They are a pain to host, I must agree. Because I work for a poor church, every time I pass one with a vacuum cleaner that works, I buy it.

2. Name the last thing you fixed.

Probably a vacuum. (see # 1)

3. Name your A) Favorite item of makeup OR B) Favorite tool

A) Mary Kay Highlighting pen. Aka Miracle Worker.

4. Which room in your home needs organizing more than any other?

Yes. Yes, they do.

5. Which room could use re-decorating?

Yes. Yes they do.

6. Share something unique about your town.

We host the world’s largest Hot Air Balloon gathering each October. Seeing 900 or so balloons in a mass ascension is amazing (or disturbing if you are a dog hereabouts. Claire needs valium during the Fiesta and the months leading up to it). The burners make a noise that must be deeply disturbing to dogs. Claire hears them from inside the house and starts going nuts. They take off almost every morning at sunrise, especially this time of year. I’ve actually gone up a couple of times. It’s an odd sensation…you move with the wind so there’s no real sense of movement. You should all come sometime. Hotel rooms are impossible, but I have a couple of couches and a futon.

7. If you could send a one-sentence message to your great-grandchild, what would it be?

Imitate Jesus.

8. Do you Facebook?

You really mean am I addicted to crack, right? Don't be a hater.

9. Describe your favorite shoes.

For prettiful/casual I have pair of silver dressy sandals (even tho’ they have the thing between your toes, they are much too dressy to be called flip flops). Workout shoes? My Ryka’s. And, then of course, I still have these, about which I wrote a post:

10. Do you listen to more talk radio or more music radio? What kind of station is it?

Music…alternative. Unless it's rush hour, and then I bop back and forth to catch the traffic reports...

11. How far would you travel for a really good (favorite) meal?

I make my own favorite (chicken fried steak), so probably about 20 feet from where I currently sit. However, my mother-in-law’s pot roast could probably help achieve world peace, so I think … 200-ish miles?

12. If you were totally honest with yourself (and us) what should you probably be doing right now instead of blogging?

Working on the retreat We have just over a week left and not only am I the chief cook and bottle washer, I’m co-leading a breakout on prayer this year. In fact, leaving for coffee and planning meeting with Rachel. RIGHT NOW!

It's pretty sad when the sum total of my blog posts seem to be all about the Dozen (even tho' there's Power in the Dozen). I really need to be more creative and write about more. I pledge that once the retreat is over, I will do more regular posts and fewer memes. Now post your own and play along!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Three of my bestest girlfriends and I just got back from Pagosa Springs. We have, among us 10 children, ranging in age from 19 months to 21 years. School is back in session. Fall is a little crisp snap in the air. We laughed, cried, soaked, relaxed ate...and can't wait to do it again next year!

Laura; the baby of the group. I've been married longer than she's been alive. She just finished her advanced degree as an architect and is well on her way to becoming licensed. Passionate about her baby, her man (who happen to be two of my favorite people), and Jesus. Literal and artistic. Dreamy and sassy.

Robin: Take charge. Owner of her own small business. Loves her Jesus. Mom to three. Unintimidatable. (Is that a word?) Unflappable. Practical and incredibly funny. The t-shirts were all her. Also, a great beauty. What I wouldn't give for her skin!

Rachel: My prayer partner princess. Needed this getaway possibly more than the rest of us. Gifted author. Phenomenal cook. Logophile (yes, I had to look that up), mom of two very active boys and a Daughter of the King.

Me: I am what I am and who I am. Grounded, yet excitable. Cynical and full of wonder at the same time. Mother to four and surrogate to many, many. And I am so excited to see this become an annual getaway. If you've never been to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, you have no idea what you are missing....Praying for more to join us next year. Woo to the hoo!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Lidna over at 2nd Cup has her Labor Day edition of the Random Dozen posted. Play along and link up, won’t you?

1 Describe the best sandwich in the world, according to you.I make an absolutely amazing grilled cheese. Don’t let the mundane name fool you. It will change your life. You’re welcome.

2. Which inspires you more: a good conversation, a song, a book or movie?Hard question! I think possibly conversation will inspire me to pray, and song will inspire me to worship, a book to write a blog and a movie (depending on the movie) to sleep…I am terrible. Ted says I am like the little baby dolls...once my head tips past a certain angle, my eyes slam shut. I have yet to see The Matrix in one sitting…I always fall asleep about the time the Oracle lights up her cigarette….

3. What is your favorite board game?I LOVE games! Catchphrase, Apples to Apples, Phase 10...although none of them require “boards,” I think this is what Lidna meant. I also like cribbage, just bought Farkle and I’m dying to try Quelf…

4. As you grow older, are you more or less patient with small children?Teeny-weenies, I am more patient (as in, those who are not yet able to move from point A to point B under their own power. The ones from ages 3-7-ish, not so much.

5. Name one item you never let yourself run out of.Toilet paper. I have four teenagers. Ever try to clear a line when somebody flushed a paper towel? And remember this? You never know when you're going to need toilet paper. Just sayin'.

6. Do you agree with Tennyson's assertion, "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?"Oh, yes! The joy is in the journey and what you are able to take from it.

7. Name one national treasure or monument that you have visited.The Grand Canyon. One of God’s masterpieces.

8. Which is more painful, to be disappointed in someone else or to be disappointed in yourself?I think it’s more painful to be disappointed in someone else. I am regularly disappointed in myself, so I’ve come to expect it. It’s those times when it hits you out of the blue from someone you didn’t expect that hurt more. Maybe it’s the disillusionment?

9. What makes your kitchen uniquely yours?I have a cross stitch in a frame…it’s a little bear with really burly arms that says “I love a man with dishpan hands.” It's kind of a double entendre. And then, there’s my refrigerator. I am one of those annoying people who have about 3000 photos as well as miscellaneous detritus that may or may not apply or be current in my life. It’s not just the door. It’s every side reachable.

10. Are you a crafty person?Maybe? A little bit? I stitched that picture up there....

11. What is your favorite traditional picnic or bbq (cookout) food?Steak. Good and rare.

12. Name one leisurely activity you enjoyed over Labor Day Weekend.

Wasn’t so leisurely, but I went with 39 of my closest friends (youth group and leadership) to the Lives Ablaze conference at Glorieta, NM. I was able to see lives redeemed and hope renewed. On Sunday evening, 17 of them stepped out of death and into life eternal. I certainly enjoyed that.

BUT on the Tuesday-Wednesday before that, three of my closest friends and I took the day and went to Pagosa Springs, Colorado. That’s a whole blog in itself!THAT my friend, was leisure at it's finest

About Me

Why Alert and Oriented x 4?
When someone is ill or injured, medical professionals evaluate them as to their Orientation by determining if the patient can state their name, the day or date, where they are, and the purpose. This is documented as oriented times 4. I generally know who I am, where I am and what day it is, but am sometimes at a loss as to my purpose. God always reminds me that I DO have one. I want to be aware ALL WAYS of the beautiful world that God has created and placed me in. Also, I have 4 kids, so...